Han Xin shook his head, a slight frown forming. "Let them be," he replied, his voice firm. "They need to learn from their mistakes."
He watched the twins, their faces lit with an unwavering belief in Xiang Yu. It was... unsettling for him. Their trust in Xiang Yu, the man deemed an enemy, was misplaced. He needed to show them the reality that no matter what future they had foreseen, Xiang Yu was no good for them.
Just then, Han Xin felt the first sting of his doubts. In a swift turn of events, Xiang Yu suddenly embraced the fight with a ferocity that caught everyone off guard. Han Xin’s heart raced, his breath catching in his throat. He had always known Xiang Yu was skilled, but the way he fought now seemed to transcend any limitations of an ordinary person.
This wasn’t just about technique, it was as if he was tapping into something deeper, something... like that of an awakened being. The rumours about the overseer discovering a way to elevate ordinary people crossed Han Xin’s mind. Was it possible that Xiang Yu had somehow accessed this power?
Across the arena, Lu Lu’s composure began to slip. This was unacceptable. He was a high-level Awakened, and yet here he was, struggling against Xiang Yu. The realization fueled his anger. Clenching his fists, he groaned, forcing his exhausted body to prepare for one last hurrah.
With a fierce determination, Lu Lu manipulated the roots around him, tearing them into sharp, jagged pieces before sending them hurtling towards Xiang Yu. The crowd gasped, anticipation electric in the air.
But Xiang Yu’s lips curled into a sinister smile. He raised his hands, and the sharp pieces of wood froze mid-air, defying gravity and expectation. Gasps and murmurs swept through the spectators, shock painting their faces.
With a swift, decisive motion, Xiang Yu clenched his fist. The roots and shards that had once posed a threat crumbled into dust, dissipating into the air like lost hopes.
Xiang Yu curled his fingers, and to Lu Lu’s horror, he felt his body move without his control. A wave of panic washed over him as he struggled against the invisible grip that bound him, but all his efforts were in vain. His body rose off the ground, defying his will and pulling him closer to Xiang Yu with each agonizing moment.
"Let me go, you bastard!" Lu Lu gritted his teeth, his aura radiating pure hatred. The muscles in his body strained against the unseen force, veins throbbing in his neck, and his face flushed with anger.
"You are not in a position to negotiate with me," Xiang Yu replied coolly, his expression unreadable.
Lu Lu breathed heavily, fury coursing through him. With every attempt to break free, sharp waves of pain coursed through his limbs, tightening like a vice. It felt as if Xiang Yu’s power was sharpening his frustration into something almost unbearable.
As he was drawn closer, Xiang Yu leaned in, whispering just above the roar of the crowd, "Mess with me again, and I will be less merciful." The threat hung in the air, icy and resolute, leaving Lu Lu to simmer in humiliation and fury.
"Stop!" Han Zhan’s voice rang out, breaking the tension.
Xiang Yu released his grip instantly. Lu Lu’s body fell to the ground with a heavy thud, the defiance fading as he landed. Xiang Yu turned to Han Zhan and then met Han Xin’s gaze across the arena.
The embarrassment washed over him. Gone was his fierce expression. It was replaced with a wave of embarrassment. The change in his expression from ferocious to sheepish left the spectators bewildered, faces knitting into confused frowns.
Scratching the back of his head, Xiang Yu felt a surge of heat in his cheeks. He reached out a hand to help Lu Lu up, but Lu Lu scowled and smacked it away in anger.
Xiang Yu quietly withdrew his hand, understanding his reasoning. If he had been in Lu Lu’s position, pride would have stopped him from accepting help after such a public defeat.
As the crowd began to disperse, Lian and Mei approached, their expressions bright with triumph. "Master, today we are eating good! We won the bet!" Mei announced, clapping her hands together.
"That’s good," Xiang Yu said, glancing up where Han Xin had stood, only to find the spot empty. A twinge of disappointment pricked at him. He had wanted to talk to him about what had just happened just now but Han Xin was gone. He could only wait for Han Xin to seek him out.
Four hours later, as the sun began to set, Han Zhan finally came looking for him. By then, Xiang Yu was in the greenhouse with Lian and Mei, who were attempting to convince Da Hei to part with some fruits, claiming it was for research purposes.
"This will be valuable for our studies," Lian insisted, waving a hand dramatically as she pointed out different plants.
Xiang Yu stood to the side, amused by their antics. The greenhouse was alive with the scent of soil and growing things, a calming contrast to the chaos of the earlier.
When Han Zhan arrived at the greenhouse, he immediately spotted Da Hei, who was eagerly offering Xiang Yu fruit with wide, round eyes that gleamed like those of a lovestruck fool. The sight was unsettling. Han Zhan couldn’t help but think that if Da Hei had a tail, it would be wagging vigorously.
"Xiang Yu, Han Xin wants to see you," Han Zhan announced, his voice steady.
Lian and Mei immediately positioned themselves in front of Xiang Yu, their demeanour protective. Lian crossed her arms defiantly. "He is busy," she said her tone firm.
Mei chimed in, nodding vigorously. "Yes, very busy! Make an appointment first."
Han Zhan chuckled softly, incredulous. "I thought we were friends."
"Used to be friends," Mei replied, her expression serious..
"Yes, Han Zhan... we used to be friends," Lian echoed, a mischievous grin on her face.
Han Zhan gasped, feigning hurt. "Ouch, what happened to being called brother?"
Xiang Yu let out a sigh, looking amused. "I will go. Girls, don’t make it difficult for him."
Lian and Mei pouted but reluctantly stepped aside, their loyalty to Xiang Yu prevailing.